The Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Float-Float Fruit) allows its user to free non-living objects they have touched from the pull of gravity, making the objects float and allowing the user to manipulate them in battle.
In the hands of Golden Lion Shiki, this Devil Fruit shone with astonishing brilliance, earning him a place among the Three Great Legends.
However, Kojin believes its true power lies in the ability to lift a massive island ten thousand meters into the sky.
Once he controlled the fruit, he could use its power to create floating Skypiea bases and build a kingdom of gods.
"The power of the World Government is unfathomable. With my current foundation, I still can't truly surpass them in a direct confrontation. In the depths of the Holy Land, atop the Empty Throne... Imu."
"And the Five Elder Stars, who bear the title of gods."
Kojin's eyes flickered slightly as information about those at the pinnacle of the world passed through his mind.
The Warrior God of Science and Defense... Saint Jaygarcia Saturn [Saturn]
The Warrior God of Agriculture... Shepherd Ju Peter [Jupiter]
The Warrior God of Finance... Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro [Venus].
The Warrior God of Justice... Topman Warcury (Mercury).
The Warrior God of the Environment: Marcus Mars (Mars).
Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth... the five celestial bodies. Bearing the names of gods, their titles conveyed overwhelming oppression and authority.
This was precisely why Kojin had named his organization Pantheon.
Only gods can surpass gods. New gods must replace the old gods. In the name of the gods, act for the people. When the imperial star flickers and Mars shines brightly, a madman sharpens his blade in the night.
Kojin was the blade sharpener who sought to send the old gods away and ascend as a new one.
This world was truly bizarre.
As the story unfolded, the power hierarchy became more and more outrageous. The awakening of the Gum-Gum Fruit brought forth the Sun God, Nika.
The world was gradually becoming deified.
"There are also the God's Knights. Not to mention the hidden forces accumulated by the World Government over eight hundred years."
Kojin's gaze turned solemn. He could not predict just how deep the World Government's hidden strength truly ran. Fortunately, he was still operating in the shadows. He had time to quietly accumulate power.
"The organization's initial form has been set. Now, I need to recruit, train, and invite top-tier combat power." Kojin murmured to himself, feeling the weight of responsibility. There was still a long road ahead, he had to work even harder.
With a sudden leap, his body transformed into lightning within the void and vanished in an instant.
Back at the base, he sat in his office, deep in thought.
Soon, he wrote the first name on the blank sheet of paper before him:
"Kozuki Oden!"
Judging by the timeline, the samurai of Wano Country was not yet dead. Although Kojin thought the man was foolish, his combat strength was undeniable.
He was worth paying attention to.
Next, he wrote:
Moria.
The future Warlord of the Sea had been completely crushed after his battle with Kaido. His spirit suffered such a blow that not only did his strength fail to improve, but it also declined.
Yet, Moria also possessed tremendous potential.
If one could excavate powerful corpses and insert suitable shadows into them, a capable combatant would be born."
Then came:
Doflamingo.
Kojin hesitated as he wrote this name. He considered crossing it out, but his pen hovered above the paper, unmoving.
Another name appeared:
Shimotsuki Koushirou.
Then...
Garp!
Kojin's eyes flickered.
To him, this was the easiest yet most difficult person to recruit. It would require waiting for the right moment.
One by one, more names filled the page.
Kojin drafted a plan to expand his organization. The names on the paper were people he intended to win over. If he could secure them all, he would have the strength to challenge the World Government.
Finally, at the very top of the paper, he wrote four words:
'Godseed Project.'
Naturally, accomplishing this plan would take a very long time. Some targets might never be persuaded. But it was a long-term goal.
"Compared to my ambitions... Dragon, you're still too conservative." Kojin smiled faintly. He picked up the paper and gave it a light shake.
Electric arcs flashed across the paper, which turned to ash.
The names, however, were already engraved in his mind.
"What exactly is the upper limit of power in this world?"
"Am I qualified yet?"
Gazing at the distant sky, Kojin murmured to himself. He had always been cautious. Even though he had become a well-rounded warrior with no obvious weaknesses, he did not consider himself invincible.
Only his undying body gave him the courage to take risks and test boundaries.
"For now, I'll finish what's in front of me."
Kojin shook his head, dispelling his wandering thoughts. The gold of Skypiea, the new Ohara, and Vegapunk's research base were the most urgent matters.
The Ohara scholars were as important as Vegapunk himself.
Kojin deeply understood one truth: knowledge is power.
But nothing should be rushed.
In the blink of an eye, another month passed.
Finally, Kojin saw what he had been anticipating for days:
A fleet of twelve flying ships hovering quietly above the harbor of the G-18 base.
The ships were arranged in a fan-shaped formation. As their propellers spun, faint rumbling thunder echoed through the air, and arcs of electricity flickered between them.
"It exceeded expectations. Five shipbuilding yards worked at full capacity to finally produce this small fleet. Each flying ship can carry fifty people; that's six hundred in total," Capone Bege said excitedly.
In truth, his intense desire for a flying fleet drove the effort. He personally kept watch over the shipyards every single day and forced them to work eighteen-hour days.
Only then was the fleet completed at the fastest possible speed.
Earlier, he had even test-flown one himself. Racing through the sky had left him feeling exhilarated and as if he were floating. In that moment, he felt genuine gratitude for submitting to the Leader. It had been the right decision.
"Twelve ships!"
A smile appeared on Kojin's face.
He noticed that each flying ship had men dressed in black suits standing stiffly upright on it. Surrounded by Marines, sweat beaded on their foreheads from nervous tension.
"Make preparations. We're about to embark on a long journey." Kojin said with a smile to Capone Bege, then gestured to Eveya.
Capone Bege immediately nodded. His heart was pounding. Though he was curious about the Leader's plan, he didn't dare ask about it recklessly.
"Vice Admiral!" Eveya quickly stepped forward.
"Select six hundred elite soldiers. We'll be carrying out a classified mission," Kojin said calmly.
"Yes!" Eveya turned and left at once.
"Remember to pick strong ones!" Kojin's voice came from behind her.
Eveya paused briefly, nodded again, and hurried off.
Ever since Kojin finalized the organization's structure, Bullet had largely overseen the military side. Within moments, six hundred Marines arrived at the harbor, each tall and imposing with rifles and short swords at their waists.
Seeing them, Capone Bege's pupils shrank.
Their elite quality was obvious at a glance. They were far more formidable than any Marines he had seen before.
Firm gazes. Strong physiques. They stand motionless, silent, and disciplined like statues.
"Since the Leader arrived, the Marines of West Blue have changed completely," Capone Bege thought to himself.
He had personally witnessed the officers training soldiers on Troia Island. The intensity and strictness had increased exponentially. At the same time, the soldiers' food, lodging, and salaries had improved significantly as well.
Thinking of this made Capone Bege feel a pang of pain.
Marine expenses had drained heavily from his own pocket. As the underground king of West Blue, he practically funded the entire Marine force there.
Yet deep down, he bore little resentment. Instead, he felt even more grateful to the leader.
"What's the point of being king of the land?"
"If I'm going to rule, I'll rule the sea, and the sky!"
His eyes gleamed with ambition as he looked at the floating fleet ahead. If he could one day command such a fleet, it would be perfect.
Moments later, the flying ships slowly descended and docked in the inner harbor.
Six hundred Mafia members dressed in black suits, black Marine caps, and black sunglasses walked toward Capone Bege in an orderly fashion, trembling nervously.
Then, to Eveya's astonishment, as they approached him, their bodies gradually shrank until they passed through a doorway and vanished entirely.
"No need to be surprised, Colonel. I am a user of the Castle-Castle Fruit. My body is a fortified city." Capone Bege explained.
Only then did Eveya understand.
Kojin glanced over, but he paid little attention. He had long known about this ability. Soon after, the six hundred Marines boarded the ships one by one.
Half an hour later, the twelve flying ships slowly ascended into the sky. Amidst arcs of flashing lightning, they accelerated toward the Grand Line.
"Leader, what is our target this time?"
Inside Capone Bege's castle.
Kojin sat at a long table. On the table were fine red wine, abundant fruit, and exquisite delicacies.
Capone Bege sat opposite him.
"You've heard of Skypiea, haven't you?" Kojin asked, smiling faintly as he lifted his wine glass and gently swirled it.
The crimson liquid spun like blood.
"Skypiea?"
"The legendary island floating ten thousand meters above the sky?"
Capone Bege was stunned.
"Does such an island truly exist?"
Kojin smiled lightly.
"Of course. Our destination is Skypiea, which is located ten thousand meters above Mock Town in the Grand Line."
He paused.
"There is an enormous amount of gold there."
Capone Bege's body trembled.
The Grand Line? Skypiea.
He had never even dared to imagine this before.
"This gold is crucial for the organization's next phase of development. That's why I asked another member of the organization to design the blueprints for the flying ships," Kojin said calmly.
At that, he sighed inwardly.
Development required money.
Scientific research, rebuilding ruins, and establishing Crocodile's intelligence network all demanded funds.
"Besides… Skypiea can be brought under our control while we're at it."
(End of Chapter)
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